Why people travel to Amsterdam for a truffle ceremony
Truffles are legal in the Netherlands. In many other countries they aren't. That is the plain reason guests fly in from Germany, the UK, the US and further away. They want a guided truffle ceremony in a legal, careful setting, with someone who speaks their language.
Most of them have read a lot before they write. They compare providers, check the rules, wonder what it will feel like so far from home. That's a good instinct. A ceremony abroad asks for a little more planning than one around the corner. This guide covers the practical side: booking, travel, where to stay, and the days around the ceremony.
Dutch law applies to everyone in the Netherlands, visitors included. It doesn't travel with you. Never take truffles back across a border. More on the rules is on the page about the legal side of a truffle ceremony.
Book the intro call before you book your flight
Every truffle ceremony at Stars Frequencies starts with a free 30-minute intro call by phone. Have that call first. Then book the flight.
In the call Rosa asks about your health, any medication and your experience. That is the screening. Some medication doesn't combine with truffles, and some situations call for a different moment. Rosa will tell you honestly if a ceremony isn't right for you now. Better to hear that before you have a ticket than after.
The call is also your chance to ask anything. How the day goes. Who else is in the group. Whether a private ceremony suits you better. Only once you both feel good about it do you pick a date. Mention that you're coming from abroad, so the planning fits your travel.
“The preparation was so thorough. The intro call put me at ease right away. During the ceremony I felt held the entire time. Thank you, Rosa.”
Where the truffle ceremony takes place
Group ceremonies take place in Amsterdam, about 10 minutes from Schiphol airport. You receive the exact address after the intro call.
Being close to the airport helps. You don't have to cross the country after a flight, and getting there on the day is short and simple. Amsterdam itself is easy to reach from most of Europe, by plane and by train:
| From | By plane to Schiphol | By train to Amsterdam |
|---|---|---|
| London | About 1 hour 15 minutes | About 4 hours (Eurostar) |
| Brussels | - | About 2 hours |
| Paris | About 1 hour 15 minutes | About 3 hours 20 minutes |
| Cologne / Düsseldorf | - | About 2 to 2.5 hours |
| Berlin | About 1 hour 20 minutes | About 6 hours |
| New York | About 7 hours | - |
From Schiphol, the train to Amsterdam Centraal takes about 15 minutes, and trains run all day. From the airport to the ceremony location it's about 10 minutes by taxi.
On the day itself, don't drive. Take a taxi or public transport, or ask someone to pick you up afterwards.
How to plan your days around the ceremony
The ceremony takes about 7 hours. It isn't something to squeeze between a museum and a dinner reservation. Treat it as the centre of your stay and plan the rest around it.
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Arrival | At least one day before the ceremony, two if you fly long-haul and have jet lag |
| The day before | Light food, no alcohol, an early night. Read through the truffle guide once more |
| Ceremony day | 11:00 to 18:00 for a group ceremony. Nothing else planned, before or after |
| The day after | A free day. A walk, a notebook, simple food. No early flight |
| Back home | Rosa checks in with you a week later |
The day after matters more than people expect. Your head may feel open and a bit tender. Loud places, packed sightseeing and an early alarm for the airport don't help. Give yourself time to land. Many guests use that day to walk, write, and let things settle.
Where to stay for your truffle ceremony
Choose your stay for rest, not for nightlife. A few options that work well:
- Near Schiphol or in Amsterdam-Zuid: short travel to a group ceremony, easy to reach the airport afterwards.
- In the centre of Amsterdam: lively and beautiful, but busy. Fine before the ceremony, less ideal on the evening after.
- Amstelveen or near the Amsterdamse Bos: quiet and green, close to Schiphol. A good base for the free day afterwards.
Whatever you choose, look for a room where you can sleep well and be on your own for a while. Book something you can cancel until you've had the intro call and chosen a date. Not sure which area fits your ceremony? Ask in the intro call.
How to prepare from home
Preparation starts before you pack. About two weeks ahead, cut back on alcohol, eat lighter food and sleep enough. After the intro call you receive a truffle guide with all the information, including advice on what to eat. The amount is tuned to you, based on the intake and your experience.
What to bring on the day:
- Comfortable clothing in layers.
- A bottle of water.
- Your intention, written down.
- The name and number of an emergency contact. If you're travelling alone, someone at home or at your hotel.
Also check your travel insurance before you go, and read the terms. The full checklist is on the preparation page.
The truffle ceremony itself, in English
The day starts quietly, with meditation or sound. Land first, then the ceremony. Meditation and sound healing with singing bowls are a fixed part of every ceremony, in a group of at most 8 people and in a private ceremony alike. Rosa is in the room the whole time and guides in English or Dutch.
Coming alone from abroad can feel like a big step. You don't know the city, the room or the people. That's part of why the group is small and why Rosa knows your name before you walk in. About half of the participants are doing it for the first time. No experience needed.
A group ceremony costs €295 per person, a private 1-on-1 truffle ceremony €495. All prices, including duo and own group, are on the truffle ceremony prices page. How the day is set up is explained on the page about the truffle ceremony in Amsterdam.
A ceremony is not a substitute for medical or psychological help. Read more about safety
After the ceremony: flying home
The ceremony ends at the end of the afternoon. What it brings up often keeps moving for days. That's why a quiet day before you fly helps, and why the contact doesn't stop when you leave the Netherlands.
A week after the ceremony Rosa checks in with you. After that you can always send a message or call, from wherever you are. If you'd like to read how people tend to feel in the days afterwards, see how you feel after a truffle ceremony.